Butterfly Farming in the East Usambara Mountains - Eastern Arc ...

1) The Amani Butterfly Project
Part 2: The Amani Butterfly Project
1.1 Introduction
After about 7 months of researching butterfly farming in the East Usambara Mountains between
November 2001 and May of 2002, I was convinced that a butterfly farming project in the East
Usambara Mountains would be very successful. So, after receiving blessings from forest officials
to continue, I presented the idea of starting a project to the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group.
TFCG, which already works with several communities in the East Usambara Mountains,
accepted the idea of adding butterfly farming to their list of projects.
The project’s mission is to provide communities adjacent to forests of conservation priority with
a sustainable income that is directly dependent on the presence of healthy forest. It is hoped that
such an income will increase community support for conservation in the Amani area. It is also
hoped that this project can serve as an example for other parts of Tanzania.
About TFCG
The Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG) was established and registered in 1985. TFCG
aims to promote the conservation of the high biodiversity forests in Tanzania. TFCG is registered
under the Society’s Ordinance (SO 6275). TFCG currently operates eight participatory forest
management projects in the East and West Usambaras, Southern Udzungwas and Coastal
Forests. The focus of these projects is on assisting the forest adjacent communities to participate
in the management of their forest resources. TFCG also publishes two biannual newsletters “The
Arc Journal” and “Jarida la safu ya milima”. The Committee governing TFCG is composed of
professionals with a commitment to forest conservation.
1.2 Organization
Currently The Amani Butterfly Project is divided into three major components with separate
responsibilities and leadership. The goal of the project is to slowly transfer responsibilities and
property to the Amani Butterfly Project Group so that the project will eventually be independent
of the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group.
1.2.1 The Amani Butterfly Project
Administration
• Project of the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group
• Administered by the project manager and the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group.
Responsibilities
• Buying pupae from butterfly farming groups that are members of the Project Group
• Marketing and shipping pupae on behalf of butterfly farmers to domestic and overseas
buyers
• Developing new foreign and domestic markets for farmed butterflies
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